As an offspring of the English Bull, the Miniature Bull Terrier has a rich and involved history, one that has given them both their courage and determination and at the same time their fun, frolicsome ways. In other words, given its current temperament»which is absent of the earlier viciousness it was bred and trained to carry--it is reasonable to say this particular dog has come quite a long way from its ancestors» days.
First, «The White Cavalier,» so nicknamed for its bull-baiting abilities, was a full-sized English Bull Terrier which first came into being in England in the early 1800»s. A cross between the first Bulldog breed and the last (now-extinct) White English Terrier, the English Bull was made to bait bulls, primarily, but also to fight in blood sports events against badgers, vermin, and other dogs. Fortunately, blood sports were outlawed (in 1835), but not until after the crossbred animal was again crossed with a Spanish Pointer (to give it more bulk).
With standard-sized and medium-sized Bull Terriers weighing anywhere between 45 and 65 or more pounds, breeders wanted then to create a smaller Bull version. So in the early 1900»s, they bred Miniature Bull Terriers that carry out the same standards as the full-sized version, with the exception of size/weight.
At 10 to 14 inches in height and weighing 24 to 33 pounds, the first Miniature Bull Terriers were born in many colors»some were blue; some brindle; some were black and white; others were all white and called the Coverwood Terriers, having been bred at the kennel of the same name By the mid 1900»s Miature Bulls were accepted into show rings. By 1991, they were accepted as a standard breed. And by the late 1990»s were fast becoming a popular pet for terrier lovers.
Today, with the fearlessness and dedication retained, Miniature Bull Terriers are wonderful pets for children and adults, are top-notch watchdogs, and while they need to be socialized with other pets (still having a touch of the competitive need to be alpha in the pack), are energetic, entertaining and fun dogs with a great sense of humor and silly, showy demeanor.
The Miniature Bull Terrier today, in other words, needs more affection than fight. It bonds permanently with its humans and is loving and demanding of very little»besides attention. That is, the Miniature Bull Terrier needs ample consistent exercise and minor grooming: a once-a-week bristle brushing or rubber brushing is all it needs.
Still, with the innate penchant its ancestors had for the feisty activity of conflict, pit fighting, and bull-baiting, the muscular and tough-looking but fun loving Miniature Bull Terrier needs company and companionship. It does not like being alone at all, and will understandably become destructive and disagreeable when neglected and left alone for eight hours while the humans go off to work. And since it has a very high natural energy, it will naturally run rampant. In other words, while it no longer runs with the bulls, it does not favor the stagnation of staying inside the ranch house all day long with no guidance and no attention. But its fair to say that like other terrier breeds, Miniature Bull Terriers deserve the reward of companionship»the same kind they gave for years.
